Probability Sampling

Fortunately, you don't have to collect information for evey member of your population. There is a much more efficient and cost-effective way to gather your information. This method is called 'probability sampling.' If designed and implemented well, probability sampling will yield accurate results about your population.

A ‘probability sample’ is:

A subgroup of the entire population chosen using random selection.

Many times, the term 'random selection' is taken to mean 'haphazard selection.'

However, ‘random selection’ is:

A technical term that means each eligible subject has a specific and known probability of being included in your sample.